Extended Stay America Commits 100,000 Room Nights To The American Cancer Society, Helping Cancer Patients Traveling For Treatment

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- An estimated 1.6 million Americans will be diagnosed with some type of cancer this year, and thousands will travel away from home for treatment. Extended Stay America (ESA) -- the largest owner-operated hotel brand in the U.S., and the American Cancer Society (ACS) -- the largest voluntary health organization in the nation – announced the renewal of their unprecedented multi-year partnership and flagship room donation program, Hotel Keys of Hope™. More than doubling the previous contribution, the hotel brand commits a record-breaking 100,000 rooms over the next two years, providing lodging support to a targeted 15,000 cancer patients.  

"All of us at Extended Stay America are very proud of the Hotel Keys of Hope™ program. Our goal is to come to work every day and create a stay that makes a difference. If we can help pay back, even a little bit, it makes our day, our month, our year," said Gerry Lopez, chief executive officer, Extended Stay America. "For cancer patients facing financial challenges, this program alleviates one of the largest barriers for treatment — lodging cost during treatment. Hotel Keys of Hope™ extends a comfortable suite with homelike amenities, the ability to have the comfort and support of family and even beloved pets, a friendly and compassionate staff and importantly some financial peace of mind."

With this program, Extended Stay America provides free and deeply discounted hotel stays throughout the brand's 629 U.S. locations to cancer patients who face the financial challenges of receiving potentially lifesaving treatment away from home. Since launching nationwide in 2013, Extended Stay America has donated more than 45,000 room nights helping roughly 6,700 patients and their families save nearly $1.2 million in costs associated with traveling for necessary cancer treatments.

"Through the Extended Stay America partnership with our American Society Hope Lodge program we are meeting a very real need for thousands of cancer patients who must travel for life-saving treatment all over the country," said Gary Reedy, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. "The financial burden of paying for lodging while undergoing weeks or even months of cancer treatment can be unaffordable for many cancer patients. Extended Stay America relieves that burden and enables patients to focus on what's important: receiving treatment and getting well."

Currently in the third year of collaboration, Extended Stay America continues to find more ways to align its partnership initiatives to further support the goals of the American Cancer Society –eliminating cancer as a major health problem and alleviating suffering from the disease. Through extending the brand's greatest asset, the ability to take care of people, ESA redefines corporate social responsibility and challenges the way companies and non-profits work together to meet a real need within the communities they serve.

In addition to room donations, Extended Stay America encourages hotel guests to provide hope, through its recently launched Hotel Keys of Hope™ program: Leave a Key Help Save a Life^SM. Guests can participate by leaving their room keys in designated collection boxes conveniently located in their 629 hotel lobbies.  For every key left in the collection box, ESA will contribute $1 of hotel room value to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge® program. Extended Stay America is committed to a total contribution of $1,000,000 in hotel room value to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge® program with a total donation of more than $5,000,000 in hotel value. 

To join Extended Stay America and the American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer, visit ExtendedStayAmerica.com or call 800-804-3724. For information about American Cancer Society programs and services, including the lodging program, please visit cancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345.

About Extended Stay America
Based in Charlotte, N.C., Extended Stay America has 629 locations in the U.S. and Canada. The company owns and operates hotels under the brand, Extended Stay America ®, which serves the mid-priced extended stay segment. It is the largest owner/operator of company-branded hotels in North America and employs approximately 9,000 employees in its hotel properties and headquarters.

About American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we celebrate 100 years of service, we're determined to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as the nation's  largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Media Contacts:
IVETTE FAULKNER - CHRISTA HUDSON
THE ZIMMERMAN AGENCY 
(850) 668-2222 - [email protected]

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SOURCE Extended Stay America